Boka spurns Tottenham to sign new deal

(GETTY IMAGES)

Ivory Coast international Arthur Boka has resisted the lure of Tottenham and the French league to sign a new one-year deal with Bundesliga side Stuttgart.

The 25-year-old's contract was due to expire in the summer, but he has reached an agreement which means he will remain with the 2007 Bundesliga champions until 2010.

"I am really happy about the new contract, because I desperately wanted to stay in Stuttgart," he told his club's website.

"I have been here almost three years and feel really happy at VfB.

"I became German champion in my first year. We have high aims, and I want to play my part."

Boka turned down several other offers, to stick with Stuttgart because he feels so settled there.

"I had an offer from Tottenham and a few inquiries from France. But I feel happy in Stuttgart and still want to achieve a lot here," he confirmed.

"Therefore, it was clear to me that I would extend my contract here and not transfer."

Not even the words of Boka's compatriot and friend Didier Drogba could convince him to accept the offer from Spurs, though.

"Didier told me that I really had to join Tottenham," he revealed.

"They are a good team, even if they have a few problems at the moment and are not playing so well.

"I told him that was not going to happen, because I had to stay in Stuttgart. I have found a lot of good friends here, and everything is perfect at VfB."

Spurs' offer of more money was not enough to tip the balance in their favour either.

"It would be good to have more money, but that is not everything," added left-back.

"First of all I have to be sure I will be playing and I think I will do that at VfB. If I had joined another club, like a top club in England or France, then I would not have had any guarantees.

"If I am not playing for my club then it is very hard to get into the national team.

"I don't want to give up on my regular berth there."